FISH: Feeding Individuals to Support Health

 

The FISH (Feeding Individuals to Support Health) Project began in 2017 as a unique partnership to provide healthy fish to Baltimore residents. 

Since then, over 13,000 pounds of fish were grown at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET), processed by JJ McDonnell, and distributed by the Maryland Food Bank to serve 23,600 meals. This was all with the support of United Way of Central Maryland and McCormick’s Flavor for Life. 

This project draws on the strengths of all the partners to contribute to sustainable aquaculture research, workforce development, and food security.

IMET has expertise in growing fish in a sustainable recirculating aquaculture system. IMET was able to further refine the process and verified that fish produced in IMET had negligible levels of mercury and arsenic, a major concern in wild-caught fish. 

Five youth interns from Baltimore City learned about the science of recirculating aquaculture systems and helped raise fish from fingerlings to harvest size. Four high school interns presented their research project at the District of Columbia Metropolitan Branch Science Fair. 

Fish was distributed by the Maryland Food Bank with recipes from McCormick. 

From tank to table, this program supports environmental and human health, building stronger families and communities.

See the impact of the FISH Project

FISH Partners
McCormick
McCormick works to improve the health and well-being of all people; build vibrant communities where we live, work and source; and make a positive impact on the planet.
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United Way
United Way of Central Maryland's mission is to unite and engage our communities to improve people's lives.
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Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET)
The scientists at IMET conduct marine and environmental research and thereby create technologies designed to foster the protection and restoration of coastal marine systems and their watersheds, sustainable use of their resources and improvement of human health. IMET is a joint University System of Maryland research institute capitalizing on the strengths of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
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JJ McDonnell
At J.J. McDonnell we recognize the increasingly important subject of sustainability in our industry. We are committed to working with our vendors to collect key information about all of our seafood products. We assess that information against environmental indicators with the help of our partners. We find a great sense of joy in supporting our local community and resources. We try to help every time we can and truly believe that as a business in this fine state, we must give back and support those around us.
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Franciscan Center of Baltimore
The mission of the Franciscan Center is to provide emergency assistance and supportive outreach to persons who are economically disadvantaged in an effort to assist them in realizing their self-worth and dignity as people of God.
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Maryland Food Bank
Maryland Food Bank's mission is to lead the movement and nurture the belief that together we can improve the lives of Marylanders by ending hunger.
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